Systems and Method for Performing Depth Based Image Editing

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for the manipulation of captured light fields and captured light field image data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system for manipulating captured light field image data includes a processor, a display, a user input device, and a memory, wherein a depth map includes depth information for one or more pixels in the image data, and wherein an image manipulation application configures the processor to display a first synthesized image, receive user input data identifying a region within the first synthesized image, determine boundary data for the identified region using the depth map, receive user input data identifying at least one action, and perform the received action using the boundary data and the captured light field image data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/773,284, entitled “Systems and Methods for the Manipulation of Captured Light Field Image Data”, filed Feb. 21, 2013, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/601,413, filed on Feb. 21, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the manipulation of images; specifically the manipulation of captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Imaging devices, such as cameras, can be used to capture images of portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as the visible light spectrum, incident upon an image sensor. For ease of discussion, the term light is generically used to cover radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. In a typical imaging device, light enters through an opening (aperture) at one end of the imaging device and is directed to an image sensor by one or more optical elements such as lenses. The image sensor includes pixels or sensor elements that generate signals upon receiving light via the optical element. Commonly used image sensors include charge-coupled device (CCDs) sensors and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

Image sensors are devices capable of converting an optical image into a digital signal. Image sensors utilized in digital cameras are typically made up of an array of pixels; the number of pixels determines the megapixel rating of the image sensor. For example, an image sensor having a width×height of 2272×1704 pixels would have an actual pixel count of 3,871,488 pixels and would be considered a 4 megapixel image sensor. Each pixel in an image sensor is capable of capturing light and converting the captured light into electrical signals. In order to separate the colors of light and capture a color image, a Bayer filter is often placed over the image sensor, filtering the incoming light into its red, blue, and green (RGB) components that are then captured by the image sensor. The RGB signal captured by the image sensor using a Bayer filter can then be processed and a color image can be created.

In photography, depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a picture that appears acceptably sharp. Depending on the desire of the photographer, it can be desirable to have the entire image be sharp, in which case a large depth of field is desired. Conversely, a small depth of field will emphasize certain aspects of a picture (that will appear sharp) while de-emphasizing the other aspects of the picture (that will appear out of focus). When taking pictures, the size of the image sensor corresponds to the depth of field of the image captured by the image sensor, with smaller sensors having a larger depth of field. Alternately, a variable aperture in front of the lens adjusts to vary the depth of field captured—a smaller aperture enabling a larger depth of field and vice versa. Cellular telephones are often equipped with a small digital camera, often employing an image sensor around 4 mm. This gives cellular telephone cameras a large depth of field. For comparison, an image sensor in a DSLR camera typically measures between 18 mm and 36 mm, giving a DSLR a smaller depth of field than a cellular telephone camera. This is assuming that both the DSLR and the cellular telephone camera have maximal aperture settings for the captured photographs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods for the manipulation of captured light fields and captured light field image data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system for manipulating captured light field image data includes a processor, a display connected to the processor and configured to display images, a user input device connected to the processor and configured to generate user input data in response to user input, and a memory connected to the processor and configured to store captured light field image data and an image manipulation application, wherein the captured light field image data includes image data, pixel position data, and a depth map, wherein the depth map includes depth information for one or more pixels in the image data, and wherein the image manipulation application configures the processor to display a first synthesized image based on the image data using the display, receive user input data identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the first synthesized image using the user input device, determine boundary data for the identified region using the depth map, where the boundary data describes the edges of the identified region, receive user input data identifying at least one action to be performed using the user input device, where the action to be performed includes an image processing operation, and perform the received action using the boundary data and the captured light field image data.

In another embodiment of the invention, the image data in the captured light field image data is the first synthesized image.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, the image data in the captured light field image data is a low resolution image, the pixel position data describes pixel positions for alternative view image pixels corresponding to specific pixels within the image data, and the image manipulation application configures the processor to synthesize the first image using the image data, the pixel position data, and the depth map.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the image manipulation application configures the processor to detect an object in the first synthesized image using the boundary data and the depth map, where an object is a set of adjacent pixels in a synthesized image related based on corresponding depth information in the depth map.

In still another additional embodiment of the invention, the image manipulation application further configures the processor to obtain object data based on the detected object, generate captured light field image metadata using the requested search data, and associate the captured light field image metadata with the pixels corresponding to the identified object in the image data.

In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, the object data is received from a third party information server system separate and remote from the image manipulation device.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the received action is a refocus action and the image manipulation application further configures the processor to perform the received action by synthesizing a second image using a synthetic aperture in the captured light field image data having a focal plane placed at the depth corresponding to the depth map of the pixels within the determined boundary data.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the input device is a gaze tracking device configured to generate input data identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the first synthesized image based on the detection of a gaze input and the focal plane of the first synthesized image is placed at a depth corresponding to the generated input data.

In yet still another embodiment of the invention, the input device is a touchscreen device configured to generate input data identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the first synthesized image based on received touch input data and the focal plane is placed at a depth corresponding to the depth of the region in the first synthesized image corresponding to the generated input data.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the received action is a bokeh modification action including blur modification data and the image manipulation program further configures the processor to perform the received action by identifying the focal plane of the first synthesized image using the boundary data, and synthesizing a second image using the identified focal plane, the blur modification data, and the captured light field image data.

In still another additional embodiment of the invention, the captured light field image data further includes captured light field metadata associated with at least one pixel in the captured light field image data the received action is a metadata retrieval action and the image manipulation application further configures the processor to perform the received action by determining at least one pixel in the image data corresponding to the boundary data in the synthesized image, retrieving the captured light field metadata associated with the determined at least one pixel, and displaying the retrieved metadata using the display.

In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, the received action is selected from the group consisting of a cut action, a copy action, a paste action, and a recoloring action, where the received action is performed as a function of the depth map associated with the captured light field image data.

Still another embodiment of the invention includes a method for manipulating captured light field image data including obtaining captured light field image data using an image manipulation device, where the captured light field image data includes image data, pixel position data, and a depth map, displaying a first synthesized image based on the image data using the image manipulation device, receiving user input data identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the first synthesized image using the image manipulation device, determining boundary data for the identified region based on the depth map using the image manipulation device, where the boundary data describes the edges of the identified region and the depth map includes depth information for one or more pixels in the image data, receiving user input data identifying at least one action to be performed using the image manipulation device, where the action to be performed includes an image processing operation, and performing the received action based on the boundary data and the captured light field image data using the image manipulation device.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, the image data in the captured light field image data is the first synthesized image.

In still another additional embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes synthesizing the first image based on the image data, the pixel position data, and the depth map using the image manipulation device, wherein the image data in the captured light field image data is a low resolution image and the pixel position data describes pixel positions for alternative view image pixels corresponding to specific pixels within the image data.

In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes detecting an object in the first synthesized image based on the boundary data and the depth map using the image manipulation device, where an object is a set of adjacent pixels in a synthesized image related based on corresponding depth information in the depth map.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes obtaining object data based on the detected object using the image manipulation device, generating captured light field image metadata based on the requested search data using the image manipulation device, and associating the captured light field image metadata with the pixels corresponding to the identified object in the image data using the image manipulation device.

In still another embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes receiving object data from a third party information server system separate and remote from the image manipulation device using the image manipulation device.

In yet still another embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes performing the received action by synthesizing a second image using a synthetic aperture in the captured light field image data having a focal plane placed at the depth corresponding to the depth map of the pixels within the determined boundary data using the image manipulation device.

In yet another additional embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes generating input data using the image manipulation device by identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the first synthesized image based on the detection of a gaze input received from a gaze tracking device in the image manipulation device and placing the focal plane of the second synthesized at a depth corresponding to the generated input data using the image manipulation device.

In still another additional embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes generating input data using the image manipulation device by identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the first synthesized image based on the detection of a touch input received via a touchscreen device in the image manipulation device and placing the focal plane of the second synthesized at a depth corresponding to the generated input data using the image manipulation device.

In yet still another additional embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes identifying the focal plane of the first synthesized image using the boundary data and synthesizing a second image based on the identified focal plane, the blur modification data, and the captured light field image data using the image manipulation device, where the blur modification data affects the bokeh of the second synthesized image.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, manipulating captured light field image data further includes determining at least one pixel in the captured light field image data corresponding to the boundary data in the synthesized image using the image manipulation device, retrieving captured light field metadata associated with the determined at least one pixel in the image data using the image manipulation device, and displaying the retrieved metadata using the image manipulation device.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the received action is selected from the group consisting of a cut action, a copy action, a paste action, and a recoloring action and performing the received action using the image manipulation device is based on the depth map associated with the captured light field image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system overview of systems capable of manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a device capable of processing captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for refocusing synthesized high resolution images in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for manipulating synthesized high resolution images in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for manipulating metadata associated with captured light fields and captured light field image data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Array cameras, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/935,504, entitled “Capturing and Processing of Images using Monolithic Camera Array with Heterogeneous Imagers” to Venkataraman et al., can be utilized to capture light fields and store the captured light fields. The entirety of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/935,504 is hereby incorporated by reference. Captured light fields contain image data from a two dimensional array of images of a scene captured from multiple points of view so that each image samples the light field of the same region within the scene (as opposed to a mosaic of images that sample partially overlapping regions of a scene). In a variety of embodiments, image data for a specific image that forms part of captured light field describes a two dimensional array of pixels.

Each image in a captured light field is from a different viewpoint. Due to the different viewpoint of each of the images, parallax results in variations in the position of foreground objects within the images of the scene. The disparity between corresponding pixels in images in a captured light field can be utilized to determine the distance to an object imaged by the corresponding pixels. Processes that can be utilized to detect parallax and generate depth maps in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/691,666 entitled “Systems and Methods for Parallax Detection and Correction in Imaged Captured Using Array Cameras” to Venkataraman et al, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. A depth map is metadata describing the distance from the viewpoint from which an image is captured (or in the case of super-resolution processing synthesized) with respect to objects imaged by pixels within the image.

In a number of embodiments, captured light field image data is generated using a captured light field. In many embodiments, captured light field image data includes one or more low resolution reference images taken from the captured light field, a depth map for each reference image, and a set of prediction error images describing the pixel positions within one or more alternate view images in the captured light field that correspond to specific pixels within the reference image based on the generated depth. The use of prediction error images to achieve compression of a captured light field is disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/767,520, titled “Systems and Methods for Generating Captured Light Field Image Data using Captured Light Fields” to Lelescu et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In a variety of embodiments, captured light field image data includes a high resolution image synthesized using the captured light field and metadata describing the positions of pixels in the captured light field that are occluded from the viewpoint of the synthesized high resolution image and a depth map for the synthesized high resolution image. Systems and methods for synthesizing high resolution images using captured light field image data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/967,807, titled “System and Methods for Synthesizing High Resolution Images Using Super-Resolution Processes” to Lelescu et al., the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In a number of embodiments, the metadata can also include additional information including (but not limited to) auxiliary maps such as confidence maps, edge maps, and missing pixel maps that can be utilized during post processing of the encoded image to improve the quality of an image rendered using the light field image data file. A variety of file formats can be utilized to store captured light field image data and any associated metadata in accordance with embodiments of the invention. One such file format is the JPEG-DX extension to ISO/IEC 10918-1 described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/631,731, titled “Systems and Methods for Encoding Light Field Image Files” and filed Sep. 28, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Using the information contained in the captured light field image data, high resolution images synthesized using the captured light field image data can be manipulated in a variety of ways not possible with an image taken using a traditional camera. Additionally, synthesized images that are not generated using a super-resolution process (such as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional collapse of the image data stored in the captured light field image data) along with associated depth information can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Objects can be detected (or identified) and selected in the synthesized high resolution images in a variety of manners in accordance with embodiments of the invention, including utilizing the depth information along with color and intensity values. Once an object is selected, many image processing operations, such as copy, paste, re-coloring, and scaling, can be applied to the object. Additionally, searches involving the object can be performed utilizing various image searching techniques. By changing the focal point used to synthesize a high resolution image from the captured light field image data, the synthesized high resolution image can be refocused; this allows users to create different views of the captured light field image data. Additionally, user-generated metadata can be associated with a point, region, or object, stored with the captured light field image data and/or with synthesized high resolution images. A variety of user interfaces can be utilized to interact with captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images. In a number of embodiments, devices capable of manipulating captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images employ touchscreen-based interfaces. By utilizing touchscreen-based interfaces, users can select objects and/or points in order to modify selected objects and/or areas, adjust the focus of the image, and/or view metadata associated with the image.

Although several techniques for manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images are described above, other techniques in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be utilized by those skilled in the art, particularly those techniques which synthesize high resolution images and manipulate those images using captured light fields. Systems and methods for manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described below.

System Overview

Users interact with a variety of devices when manipulating captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images. Using these devices, users can capture, modify, and/or share light field image data. A conceptual illustration of a system for user interactions with devices capable of manipulating captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images in accordance with embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The system 100 includes a user 110 who uses one or more of a variety of devices, including smartphones 112, tablets 114, personal computers 116, picture kiosks 118, and servers 120. In several embodiments, the devices capable of interacting with captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images employ touch screen interfaces and/or 3D display capabilities (auto-stereoscopic displays). In a number of embodiments, devices capable of interacting with captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images include a front-facing camera and/or an array camera, where the front-facing camera is capable of tracking user movements and the array camera is capable of capturing captured light field image data. In several embodiments, the front-facing camera is also an array camera.

In many embodiments, the devices are capable of communication across a network 130 such as the Internet. Devices capable of manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images use the network 130 to transfer captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images to other devices for further manipulation, viewing, or sharing. In a number of embodiments, the sharing of captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images occurs utilizing photo sharing services, such as the Flickr service provided by Yahoo!, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif., and/or social networks, such as the Facebook service provided by Facebook, Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif. and the Twitter service provided by Twitter, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

Although specific devices are described above with respect to FIG. 1, any device capable of manipulating a captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images, including devices only capable of displaying synthesized high resolution images and devices with capabilities not discussed above, can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Systems and methods for manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.

Devices Capable of Manipulating Captured Light Field Image Data

Users can utilize a variety of image manipulation devices to manipulate captured light field image data and high resolution images using the captured light field image data. Many of these devices are also capable of capturing light fields and storing the captured light field image data. A diagram of an image manipulation device capable of manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images is illustrated in FIG. 2. The device 200 contains a processor 210 capable of being configured via software to synthesize high resolution images and load and manipulate captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images. In many embodiments of the invention, the processor 210 is connected to an imager array 220 capable of capturing light fields. In a variety of embodiments, the imager array 220 is configured to capture light field image data using a plurality of active focal planes in a camera module including an imager array and an optic array of lens stacks, where each focal plane included a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane, where an image is formed on each active focal planes by a separate lens stack in said optic array of lens stacks. In accordance with a number of embodiments, an array camera includes the processor 210 and the imager array 220.

In many embodiments, the processor is connected to a display 212 capable of displaying synthesized high resolution images. In several embodiments, the display 212 is capable of displaying synthesized high resolution 3D images. In a number of embodiments, the processor 210 is connected to an input device 214, such as a touchscreen interface, a pointing device, and/or a keyboard. In several embodiments, the input device 214 can be a camera or array camera capable of tracking user movements. Other devices not specifically listed above can be utilized as the display 212 and/or the input device 214 in accordance with the requirements of embodiments of the invention.

In many embodiments, the processor 210 is connected to a storage device 216. The storage device 216 is capable of storing captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images and delivering the captured light field image data and/or images to the processor 210 for manipulation. In a number of embodiments, the processor 210 is connected to a network interface 218 capable of communication via a network. The network communication involves receiving and transmitting captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images, where the captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images can be stored in storage device 216 (if present) or can be loaded directly into the processor 210. In several embodiments, the storage device 216 is configured to store an image manipulation application that configures the processor 210 to load captured light field image data, control the rendering of synthesized high resolution images, and/or manipulate the light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images.

Although a specific device capable of manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images is described above with respect to FIG. 2, any device capable of manipulating captured light field image data and/or synthesized high resolution images can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Processes for manipulating captured light field image data and synthesized high resolution images in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.

Manipulation of Synthesized High Resolution Images

Users often manipulate captured images in order to fix problems with the original image or to add further artistic flourishes to the image. By utilizing the additional information contained in captured light field image data, users can manipulate synthesized high resolution images in a variety of ways not possible with images captured using a traditional camera. A process for manipulating synthesized high resolution images is illustrated in FIG. 3. The process 300 involves receiving (310) a selection. In many embodiments of the invention, the selection can be a point of a synthesized high resolution image. In several embodiments, the selection can be an object detected in a synthesized high resolution image and/or captured light field image data. In a number of embodiments, the selection can be a region of interest in the synthesized high resolution images. For example, a region of interest can be a rectangle drawn using two fingers on a touchscreen interface, although any region can be utilized in accordance with the requirements of embodiments of the invention.

The boundaries of the selected object(s) and/or region are determined (312). In a variety of embodiments, the selected object(s) and/or region in the received (310) selection are utilized as the determined (312) boundaries. In many embodiments, the software controlling the rendering of synthesized high resolution images utilizes the depth information of the selection along with color and intensity values to determine (312) the boundaries of solid objects present in the synthesized high resolution image. In several embodiments, the depth information of the selection is used along with clustering, grouping, and/or edge detection algorithms to detect objects in the synthesized high resolution image, the captured light field image data, and/or the selected region; the edges of the objects are the determined (312) boundaries.

Actions can be performed (314) on objects and/or selected regions. In a number of embodiments, the actions performed (314) include modifying object metadata associated with the object and/or region. Object metadata includes a variety of data describing the object and/or region, such as the color(s) of the solid object, the size of the objection and/or region, and the depth of the object and/or region. In a number of embodiments, recoloring an object/and or region includes modifying the color values and/or the transparency values of one or more pixels in the object and/or selected region based on the depth of the pixels. In a variety of embodiments, recoloring an object/and or region includes modifying the brightness and/or the luminosity of one or more pixels in the object and/or selected region based on the depth of the pixels. For example, only pixels below (or above) a particular depth have the color values adjusted. In several embodiments, the actions performed (314) are any image manipulations capable of being performed using image manipulation software, such as those operations available in Adobe Photoshop by Adobe Systems of Mountain View, Calif. Additionally, other actions can be performed (314), such as cutting, copying, and pasting the detected object(s), in accordance with a variety of embodiments of the invention. Many embodiments utilize image searching techniques known to those skilled in the art to search for the selected object(s) in a variety of sources, such as other synthesized high resolution images and/or traditional images; this enables users to locate other sources containing information that the user find relevant and/or interesting.

Specific processes for manipulating synthesized high resolution images are described above with respect to FIG. 3; however, a variety of processes for manipulating synthesized images can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Further processes for manipulating synthesized high resolution images are discussed further below.

Refocusing Synthesized High Resolution Images

Once an image is taken with a traditional camera, the depth of field and focus of the image are fixed. However, high resolution images synthesized using captured light field image data do not share this limitation. Image manipulation devices in accordance with a variety of embodiments include a user interface configured to enable a user to manipulate a synthesized high resolution image by defining a focal plane for the synthesized high resolution image and/or adjust the bokeh of the synthesized high resolution image. A process for refocusing a synthesized high resolution image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The process 400 involves receiving (410) a selection of an area in a synthesized high resolution image. In many embodiments, the received (410) selection is a point of the synthesized high resolution image. In several embodiments, the received (410) selection is an object in the synthesized high resolution image. In a number of embodiments, the received (410) selection is a region of interest in the synthesized high resolution image.

Depth is determined (412). In a variety of embodiments, the location of the received (410) selection is used by the software controlling the rendering of the synthesized high resolution image to determine (412) the depth of the received (410) selection. In many embodiments, the depth is determined (412) using the captured light field image data from which the high resolution image was synthesized.

A refocused high resolution image is synthesized (414). In a number of embodiments, the refocused high resolution image is synthesized (414) using a synthetic aperture having its focal plane placed at the depth corresponding to the received (410) selection along with the depth of field. In several embodiments, the depth of field is obtained in one or more ways, such as utilizing the depth of field of the original synthesized high resolution image, setting the depth of field to a default value, using a user-provided depth of field, and/or utilizing a depth of field determined using the captured light field image data. Other methods of obtaining the depth of field can be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In many embodiments, the bokeh of the refocused synthesized (414) high resolution image is adjustable. In a variety of embodiments, the bokeh of the refocused synthesized (414) high resolution image is the aesthetic quality of the blurred areas of the refocused synthesized (414) high resolution image.

In a number of embodiments, receiving (410) a selection involves tracking the portion of the synthesized high resolution image where the user is gazing utilizing eyeball and/or gaze tracking techniques. The determination of depth (412) of the point where the user is gazing and synthesizing (414) updated high resolution images are performed using the received (410) location where the user is focused and are dynamically adjusted as the user gazes at different parts of the synthesized high resolution image.

Although a specific process for refocusing synthesized high resolution images is described above with respect to FIG. 4, a variety of processes, including those that refocus synthesized images, can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. More processes for manipulating synthesized high resolution images are described below.

Manipulating Metadata Associated with Captured Light Field Image Data

An image is worth a thousand words, however, in many cases, it is useful to associate metadata with the picture in order to capture additional data related to specific aspects of the image. Image manipulation devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to associate and manipulate metadata with synthesized high resolution images and/or captured light field data. A process for manipulating metadata associated with a captured light field image data is illustrated in FIG. 5. The process 500 involves receiving (510) a selection. In many embodiments of the invention, the selection can be a point of a synthesized high resolution image. In several embodiments, the selection can be an object in a synthesized high resolution image. In a number of embodiments, the selection can be a region of interest in the synthesized high resolution image.

The selection is provided to the software controlling the rendering of the synthesized high resolution image and available metadata associated with the selection is retrieved (512). In a variety of embodiments, the metadata is retrieved (512) from the synthesized high resolution image. In several embodiments, the metadata is retrieved (512) using the portion of the captured light field image data corresponding to the received (510) selected area of the synthesized high resolution image. Metadata, if available, is displayed (514). Displaying (514) metadata can be performed in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, an overlay on top of the synthesized high resolution image and a separate dialog box. Other techniques for displaying (514) metadata can be utilized in accordance with a number of embodiments.

In many embodiments, metadata can be associated (516) with the synthesized high resolution image and/or the captured light field image data. In several embodiments, the association (516) of metadata involves editing the retrieved (512) metadata. The metadata associated (516) with a captured light field image data includes text data, audio data, video data, image data, location data, or any other form of data in accordance with the requirements of embodiments of the invention. In a number of embodiments, the associated (516) metadata is received as input from a user. In many embodiments, the associated (516) metadata is received using an application. In a variety of embodiments, metadata is received from external data sources. For example, an image manipulate device can retrieve data from an external database, such as the Wikipedia service from the Wikimedia Foundation of San Francisco, Calif., and include the retrieved data in the metadata associated (516) with the synthesized high resolution image and/or the captured light field image data.

A specific process for manipulating metadata associated with a captured light field image data and/or a synthesized high resolution image is described above with respect to FIG. 5; however, a variety of processes, including those that manipulate synthesized images, in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be utilized to manipulate metadata.

Although the present invention has been described in certain specific aspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention can be practiced otherwise than specifically described without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for manipulating captured light field image data, comprising: a processor; a display connected to the processor and configured to display images; a user input device connected to the processor and configured to generate user input data in response to user input; and memory connected to the processor and containing an image manipulation application, a synthesized image, and associated depth information; and wherein the image manipulation application directs the processor to: display the synthesized image using the display; receive user input data from the user input device identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the synthesized image; identify an object within the synthesized image based upon color and intensity values, and the associated depth information for the identified at least one pixel; receive user input data identifying at least one image processing operation; and perform the image processing operation on the identified object within the synthesized image.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processing operation is performed as a function of the depth information associated with the synthesized image.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processing operation is selected from the group consisting of cutting pixels corresponding to the identified object from the synthesized image, copying pixels corresponding to the identified object, re-coloring pixels corresponding to the identified object within the synthesized image, and scaling the identified object within the synthesized image.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the identified object is a set of adjacent pixels in a synthesized image related based on corresponding associated depth information.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the image manipulation application directs the processor to utilize depth information for the identified at least one pixel along with color and intensity values to determine at least one boundary for the identified object.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the image manipulation application directs the processor to utilize clustering based upon at least one of depth, color and intensity to determine the at least one boundary for the identified object.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the image manipulation application directs the processor to utilize grouping based upon at least one of depth, color and intensity to determine the at least one boundary for the identified object.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the image manipulation application directs the processor to utilize edge detection based upon at least one of depth, color and intensity to determine the at least one boundary for the identified object.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device is a touchscreen device.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein: the image processing operation is a refocus action; and the image manipulation application further configures the processor to perform the refocus action by synthesizing a second image using a synthetic aperture having a focal plane determined based upon the depth of the identified object.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the image manipulation application directs the processor to: receive blur modification data from the user interface, where the blur modification data specifies a depth of field for the synthetic aperture; and synthesize the second image using the focal plane, and the blur modification data.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the synthesized image and associated depth information are stored in memory in a light field image data file.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the light field image data file also includes at least one auxiliary map selected from the group consisting of a confidence map, an edge map, and a missing pixel map.
 14. A method for manipulating captured light field image data, comprising: displaying a synthesized image using a display; receiving user input data from the user input device identifying at least one pixel identifying a region within the synthesized image; identifying an object within the synthesized image using a processor directed by an image manipulation application based upon color and intensity values, and the depth information for the identified at least one pixel obtained from a depth map associated with the synthesized image; receiving user input data identifying at least one image processing operation; and performing the image processing operation on the identified object within the synthesized image using the processor directed by the image manipulation application.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the image processing operation is performed as a function of the depth information associated with the synthesized image.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the image processing operation is selected from the group consisting of cutting pixels corresponding to the identified object from the synthesized image, copying pixels corresponding to the identified object, re-coloring pixels corresponding to the identified object within the synthesized image, and scaling the identified object within the synthesized image.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the identified object is a set of adjacent pixels in a synthesized image related based on corresponding associated depth information.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the image manipulation application directs the processor to utilize depth information for the identified at least one pixel along with color and intensity values to determine at least one boundary for the identified object.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the image processing operation is a refocus action and the method further comprises synthesizing a second image using a synthetic aperture having a focal plane determined based upon the depth of the identified object using the processor directed by the image manipulation application.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: receiving blur modification data from the user interface, where the blur modification data specifies a depth of field for the synthetic aperture; and synthesizing the second image using the processor directed by the image manipulation application based upon the focal plane, and the blur modification data. 